Abstract: First and second photodetectors having first and second collection areas receive return laser light that is reflected and scattered from a target, and generate first and second analog electrical output signals having first and second magnitudes. The second collection area is in close proximity to the first collection area. The first output signal is processed to obtain information related to the target. The first and the second output signals are processed, preferably by determining a ratio of the second magnitude to the first magnitude. A working distance to the target is determined based on the determined ratio. One or more reading parameters by which the target is electro-optically read are adjusted based on the determined working distance.

Abstract: A process for valorization of lignin includes the steps of mixing lignin; a MOF catalyst metalated with a metal atom selected from the group consisting of Fe, Mn, Co, Cu, or Ni, and combinations thereof; an oxidizing agent; and an aqueous solvent. The product of this process, a charged polyacid-containing species derived from lignin, may be included in a dispersion with a dispersible particulate material, and an aqueous dispersing medium.

Abstract: A base station performs channel access procedures for transmission on the plurality of LAA cells comprising a first cell group and a second cell group. The channel access procedures comprising a first channel access procedure of a first cell of the first cell group. The first channel access procedure is dependent on a second channel access procedure of a second cell of the first cell group and is independent of a third channel access procedure of a third cell of the second cell group.

Abstract: A light emission system includes fixture assembly including a chassis and a driver board. The driver board includes a plurality of drivers. The system further includes a plurality of modular emitting devices each configured to removably couple to the fixture assembly. The modular emitting devices including a heat sink, an emitting implement, and an emitter board. The emitter board is bonded to the heat sink.

Abstract: A water storage and filtering system for capturing pollutants from pollution borne storm water. The water storage and filtering system comprises a subsurface basin, at least one tire bundle made from a plurality of substantially whole tires secured sidewall to sidewall, and a filler which substantially fills the unoccupied volume of the subsurface basin. Pollutants in the storm water are captured as sediment in the subsurface basin as a result of the filtration and storage effects of the combination of the filler and tire bundles. The subsurface basin is covered by a water-permeable structure and multiple hollow vertical support columns may be included to support the expected load on the top of the basin.

Abstract: Data processing systems and methods, according to various embodiments, perform privacy assessments and monitor new versions of computer code for updated features and conditions that relate to compliance with privacy standards. The systems and methods may obtain a copy of computer code (e.g., a software application or code associated with a website) that collects and/or uses personal data, and then automatically analyze the computer code to identify one or more privacy-related attributes that may impact compliance with applicable privacy standards. The system may be adapted to monitor one or more locations (e.g., an online software application marketplace, and/or a specified website) to determine whether the application or website has changed. The system may, after analyzing the computer code, display the privacy-related attributes, collect information regarding the attributes, and automatically notify one or more designated individuals (e.g.

Abstract: A relatively small fire apparatus vehicle, which may have a single rear axle, is provided that includes a high-flow articulated water tower that delivers water at a rate of up to 1500 GPM (gallons per minute). The fire apparatus vehicle may include a turret support arrangement with a torque box that is supported from the vehicle chassis and that supports a turret at its turret base. A pair of outriggers is connected to at least two of the vehicle chassis, the torque box, and the turret base through a pair of outrigger mounts on opposite sides of the vehicle chassis.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for rapidly cooling an engine system of a vehicle at vehicle-off events. In one example, a method may include cooling the engine system via selecting whether to rotate a cooling fan in a first direction or a second direction based on an indication of whether temperature of the engine system decays at a faster rate under conditions where the cooling fan is rotated in the first direction as compared to the second direction, or vice versa. In this way, diagnostics that rely on static, low-noise conditions may be conducted for vehicle-off conditions that are not sufficiently long to allow for sufficient engine system cooling in a timeframe of the vehicle-off condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for consistency group replication with reduced resource consumption. An exemplary method comprises: obtaining, by one or more first replication appliances at a first location, one of (i) data generated by a monitored application; and (ii) metadata for each write operation generated by the monitored application, wherein a splitter function provides the data or metadata to the one or more first replication appliances based on a dynamic determination of whether the monitored application requires replication based on the data or the metadata based on predefined application consistency group type criteria; obtaining, by one or more of the first replication appliances, a snapshot comprising the data associated with each of the write operations since a prior snapshot based on the one of the data and the corresponding metadata; and providing the snapshot to one or more second replication appliances at a different location for storage in a replication journal.

Abstract: A method for operating a universal casting service is described. The method receives a casting request from a first client; initiates a first casting session to a first casting device; establishes a first queue for the first casting device; adds a first media item to the queue from the first client; receives a casting request from a second client; and adds a second media item to the first queue from the second client.

Abstract: A filter device including a Bernoulli element is provided. The filter device includes a housing, a plurality of permeable membranes positioned in association with the housing to create a plurality of chambers in the housing, and a Bernoulli element positioned within one chamber, wherein the Bernoulli element causes airflow and pressure to vary within the one chamber when fluid comprising smoke is drawn into the filter device.

Abstract: An article of manufacture, comprising an inflatable cooler having at least a portion with a drop-stitch construction is provided. The inflatable cooler may comprise a first inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a bottom wall, a second inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a plurality of side walls, and a third inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a lid of the inflatable cooler.

Abstract: An athlete tracking system and method for tracking an athlete during training sessions. The system includes a mobile tracking device wearable around a portion of the athlete's head, and a training log server for maintaining an athlete profile that includes a training record updatable by the athlete and a training plan supplied by a coach.

Abstract: A utility knife has a disposable blade cartridge in its handle that has new and used blade compartments. Fresh blades are disposed in the new blade compartment and one end of each is advanced one at a time substantially out of the compartment into operative position by a carrier that is controlled by a push button assembly. When the active blade is to be replaced, it is moved by the carrier into the used blade compartment, and a new blade may then be withdrawn from the new blade compartment into the operative position. The cartridge may be reversed when the one end of all the blades in the new blade compartment are used, placing what was the used blade compartment at the front, and the unused end of each blade may be advanced into the operative position. When all are used, a new cartridge may replace the used cartridge.

Abstract: A telecommunications device includes a module that mounts within an interior of a housing. The housing has a door that latches closed. The module includes a module frame having a bulkhead that divides the interior of the housing into first and second regions. Fiber optic adapters are mounted to the bulkhead. First ports of the adapters are accessible at the first region of the housing interior and second ports are accessible at the second region of the housing interior. The module includes a removable cover for restricting access to the first region. The removable cover including a latch catch that interlocks with the door latch to secure the door in the closed position. The module includes a tray mounted to the module frame within the first region of the housing.

Abstract: A system includes first and second vehicle power distribution buses electrically isolated from one another, each electrically connected to an electric generator. Each of the first and second buses includes a high voltage portion, electrically connected to a first load with a power consumption exceeding a threshold, and a low voltage portion electrically connected to a second load with a power consumption less than the threshold.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to a dispenser configured for securely storing a plurality of items within a cart and providing access to a subset of the plurality of items to authorized users. According to various embodiments, the dispenser generally includes a housing defining an interior portion dimensioned to receive a storage cart having an array of receptacles each configured to hold one or more items, a laterally sliding access door configured to provide restricted access to the cart stored within the dispenser, and an item access mechanism configured to provide selective access to a subset of the plurality of items stored within the cart. The dispenser additionally comprises a cart guide mechanism and a cart locking mechanism configured to guide the cart into the housing and to secure the cart in an appropriate location within the housing for use with the item access mechanism.

Abstract: A mill includes a generally vertical, rotatable shaft having at least one set of cutter blades driven thereby and a fan assembly mounted on the shaft below the cutter blades in position to receive output therefrom. The fan assembly includes a fan disc secured to the shaft and rotatable therewith. A plurality of fan blades is secured to the fan disc in a generally radial orientation. A terminal portion of the mill includes a gradually, radially expanding outer wall configured in a volute form. The expanded outer wall decreases wear and increases efficiency of discharge and airflow through the mill.

Abstract: One or more processors receives one or more first database records indicating a plurality of candidate identifiers are received by one or more processors. The one or more processors obtains one or more electronic images of the physical asset. At least one electronic image includes a graphical representation of data printed on the physical asset. The one or more processors identifies a plurality of regions of the data based on the one or more electronic images. The one or more processors determines a context of the physical asset based on the plurality of regions, selects the identifier from the plurality of candidate identifiers based on the plurality of regions, and generates a second database record including an indication of the context of the physical asset, and an indication of the identifier.

Abstract: A technique for non-echo pulsed ranging of a mobile device within an environment includes a plurality of emitters within the environment transmitting signal pulses of a predefined frequency to a mobile device that can receive a signal pulse, convert the signal pulse into a digital waveform, store the digital waveform into a buffer having a predetermined length of time, and analyze the digital waveform to detect a signal pulse at the predefined frequency. If a signal pulse is detected, the mobile device can re-analyze the digital waveform that was stored in the buffer to see if another signal pulse can be detected within the waveform, indicating the existence of a reflected signal. If another signal pulse is detected, the mobile device can select the signal pulse that was received first in time, i.e. the direct signal, for use in ranging of the mobile device.